20 is Plenty as Cyclist is Critically Injured Near Street Safety Demonstration

City Council member Brad Lander (39th Council District) joined many street safety activists today in Grand Army Plaza to say: “Visionzero starts today.” Holding up signs that said, “20 is Plenty,” participants are asking for legislation that would require a speed limit of 20 miles an hour to be enforced city wide.

Here is coverage from the Epoch Times on today’s action.

Brooklyn Pushes for 20 mph Speed Limit Citywide
By Catherine Yang
February 2, 2014Community members hold signs, reading “20 is Plenty,” in support of New York state legislation to lower New York City speed limits to 20 mph, in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, New York, Feb. 2, 2014. (Catherine Yang/Epoch Times)

NEW YORK—Nearly a hundred Brooklyn residents showed up at Prospect Park on a day’s notice to show support for a state bill that would allow New York City to reduce the speed limit throughout the city.

The city’s speed limit is currently 30 mph by state law. Assemblyman Daniel O’Donnell introduced a bill last month to lower it to 20 mph “except where a different speed is determined appropriate and is indicated by an official sign,” he said. The bill is in review in both the state Senate and Assembly.

Community members held “20 is Plenty” signs, joined by Council member Brad Lander. Other people and cyclists passing by joined in a well.

A nearby resident, Kate Steinberg, said the outpour of support was symbolic of the Brooklyn community being at the forefront of pushing for traffic safety.

A cyclist is in serious condition after being struck by a car early this morning near Prospect Park. An FDNY spokesman said that the incident occurred around 6:14 a.m. on Washington Avenue near the intersection of Classon Avenue. The victim was treated for cardiac arrest at the scene and was taken to Kings County Hospital in critical condition. An NYPD spokesman confirmed the incident, but said that no other details were available.
[UPDATE / 4:45 p.m.] An NYPD spokesman said that the victim is a 22-year-old male. The spokesman said that investigators believe that the cyclist and the car were approaching one another in separate lanes when the cyclist moved into the car’s path. No summonses have been issued, and the investigation is ongoing.